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New River Gorge · March
March is a good time to visit New River Gorge — busier than February, about as busy as April.
Expect moderate crowds (4/10), highs near 51°F, about 11.9 hours of daylight, and 2 seasonal closures in effect.
Crowd score
A comfortable middle ground: some company on popular trails, but no gridlock.
About 34% of this park's busiest month.
Source: NPS Visitor Use Statistics, 2023–2025
Data: NPS visitation 2023–2025 · crowd scores computed Jul 2026 · alerts checked Jul 10, 2026. How this is calculated →
Computed from federal data · Methodology by Sharon Ben-Moshe
Visitation
March draws about 5% of New River Gorge’s yearly visitors.
Typical monthly recreation visits, averaged over the most recent three full years.
Source: NPS Visitor Use Statistics, 2023–2025
Weather
Source: NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals, BECKLEY VA HOSPITAL, WV US
What's open
The park itself is open 24 hour a day, year round. The park's two main visitor centers at Canyon Rim and Sandstone are open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day). There are two seasonal Visitor Centers located in Thurmond and Grandview. They are typically open Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Seasonal closures may apply:
From June 15 through November 19 the upper part of the Kaymoor Miners Trail (from Kaymoor Top down to the mine site at the junction with the Kaymoor Trail) will be closed Monday through Thursday due to a trail rehab project. The trail is expected to be fully open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
The Church Loop Trail in the Thurmond area of the park is temporarily closed due to downed trees.
Source: NPS Data API
Conditions
From June 15 through November 19 the upper part of the Kaymoor Miners Trail (from Kaymoor Top down to the mine site at the junction with the Kaymoor Trail) will be closed Monday through Thursday due to a trail rehab project. The trail is expected to be fully open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
The Church Loop Trail in the Thurmond area of the park is temporarily closed due to downed trees.
Source: NPS Data API
Context
Alternatives
FAQ
March rates 4/10 for crowds (Moderate) at New River Gorge National Park & Preserve — about 34% of its busiest month. Typical recreation visits: 94,762.
In March, New River Gorge averages a high of 51°F and a low of 27°F, with about 3.8 inches of precipitation.
Entry to New River Gorge is free.
New River Gorge is quietest in January and February. If your dates are flexible, those months bring the thinnest crowds of the year.
In mid-March, New River Gorge gets about 11.9 hours of daylight, with sunrise around 6:34 AM and sunset around 6:31 PM.